Restaurant Brands announces appointment of COO/ Acting CEO

NZX/ASX Release
30 November 2022


RESTAURANT BRANDS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF COO/ ACTING CEO AND CFO

Restaurant Brands New Zealand Limited (RBD) announced today that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the New Zealand Business, Arif Khan, will take on the position of Global Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective today. After Russel Creedy retires, Mr Khan will be appointed Acting Group CEO.

In addition CPA Julio Valdés has been appointed Group Chief Financial Officer, effective June 1st, 2023, taking over for Grant Ellis whose retirement is scheduled for May 31st, 2023.

Arif Khan’s extensive career spans more than 25 years in the hospitality and Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) sectors across both Franchisor and Master Franchisee networks. His global experience covers New Zealand, Australia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Pakistan, Turkey, and North Africa. He has a proven track record leading growth and innovation in large businesses.

Having spent several years at RBD earlier in his career, Arif returned to the company in 2018 as CEO to lead the New Zealand operations. Under his leadership the New Zealand operations have continued to grow rapidly, including the launch of Taco Bell into New Zealand in 2019 and its subsequent growth to 14 locations across the country, including the turnaround of Pizza Hut and Carl’s Jr. brands in New Zealand. RBD currently has over 250 locations across the New Zealand and employs close to 4000 people.

Arif is a strategic and commercially-focused people leader. He has a long history in both high level national and international managerial positions He has a strong business acumen and successfully steered the New Zealand business through the COVID 19 pandemic.

Julio Valdés, who has more than 30 years’ experience in accounting, auditing, merger, divestitures, and taxes, has provided a diversity of services primarily to companies in the consumer products, power & utilities, and manufacturing sectors advising both Mexican and international companies and supporting their comprehensive development. He has also participated in projects for multinational public companies with reporting requirements under the Sarbanes Oxley Act and has broad experience in reports required under IFRS, USGAAP, and MxGAAP.

Julio Valdés currently serves as CFO for Grupo Finaccess, a post to which he was appointed in September 2020. Previously, he served as Director, New Business Integration, and as such he participated in the process through which Grupo Finaccess acquired a majority stake in RBD.

Prior to joining Grupo Finaccess, Julio worked for more than 29 years at PwC, where he held several positions including Market Team Leader for the largest audit team in Mexico, overseeing 18 Audit Partners and a staff of over 300 people. He also served as either Leading Partner or Manager advising several of the most relevant companies in Mexico and participated in PwC’s Global Leadership Programs.

“We wish to congratulate Arif for his promotion and are thrilled to welcome Julio to RBD,” said José Parés, Chairman of the Board. “We look forward to collaborating with them and the rest of the team as we continue on the path to consolidating our presence in the QSR market in New Zealand, Australia, California, and Hawaii. These are exciting times for RBD, and I am certain their combined experience will be a great asset.”

About Restaurant Brands
Restaurant Brands is a corporate franchisee and specialises in managing multi-site branded food retail chains. Its restaurant New Zealand Customer Service Centre and corporate office is located in Penrose in Auckland, with regional Customer Service Centres in Sydney, Honolulu, and Los Angeles. Restaurant Brands is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange under NZX code RBD and on the Australian Securities Exchange under ASX code RBD.

For further information please contact:
Grant Ellis/Russel Creedy
Group CFO/CEO
Phone: +64 9 525 8723

Authorised by:
Callum Webb
Company Secretary
+64 9 525 8700
ENDS

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Announcement PDF